> Kira PoV

I escort Ellie down to Nano's workshop. He doesn't usually let me in here, but this time is different.

No matter what happens, I will witness it with my own eyes.

I bring Ellie over to a white table. She strips completely and lays down on top.

I strap her in as per Nano's instructions.

Nano will be working hard, so he won’t be able to respond once it starts.

Chest, waist, head, arms and legs are bound to the table.

She's scared, she's obviously been through something horrifying.

I grab hold of Ellie's hand and pat her hair.

"It's okay, I'm here" I whisper.

Ellie steels herself and-

"Nano, I'm ready!"

{Okay, you might feel a little prick!}

{Procedure starting in 5... 4...}

I lightly kiss her.

{3...}

"I love you."

{2...}

"I love you too."

{1...}

“AAAARRGHH!”

* * *

Ellie's been screaming and thrashing for half an hour now.

If it wasn't for the restraints, she would hurt herself without a doubt.

My heart aches when I see her in pain like this.

But I can’t do anything about it.

Magic might interfere with Nano’s work.

I feel so useless right now I want to scream!

But I will keep holding her hand and caressing her cheek.

Even if it's only this much, I will do what I can.

* * *

It's been three hours since the treatment started.

She's been lying motionless since a little while ago.

She passed out, but she's still breathing.

I'm worried. Nano said this would happen, but I can't help myself.

I worry, it's what I do.

Suddenly her face twitches.

I stare at it with a glimmer of hope, but she's not waking up.

Then, her hair starts rustling with a sound like crumpled paper.

Two triangular clumps of fur poke out from under her scalp.

Cat ears.

They're blue on the outside and have white fur on the inside.

They perk upright and stand at attention.

What?

* * *

Four and a half hours in.

An slight noise like tearing paper is heard near her waist.

A slender, blue-furred tail pops out behind her, slowly growing in size.

...

What?

* * *

Five hours in.

This time, a cracking sound from her mouth.

Filled with curiosity, I slightly open her mouth with my fingers.

Her canines are becoming longer.

They keep growing, isn't this bad?

Oh they stopped.

Now they're shaking.

And they retreat back to almost normal size, maybe slightly longer?

...

What?

* * *

Seven hours in.

At one point fur started appearing all over her, but then it fell away on its own.

This happened two more times after that.

Also, her nails fell off and grew back.

I don't even know anymore.

There's nothing I can do but pray.

So that's what I'm doing right now.

I'm really good at praying you know!

Don't underestimate a Bishop's daughter!

...

Please Ellie, please be safe.

* * *

??? hours in.

"Kira?"

I wake up instantly at the tiny voice.

I don't know when it happened, but I must have dozed off.

"Ellie!?"

I cup her cheeks with both hands in a panic.

"Kira..."

"Yes, I'm here, I'm right here Ellie!"

"Kira... I... can't..."

No... NO!

"Ellie, what's wrong?

Nano? Nano what's going on?

Answer me you invisible peeping bastard!"

"Kira... please..."

*GRRROWWWWLLLLL*

"I'm hungry..."

* * *

*Nom nom munch*

"Really now, don't do that to me! My stomach was doing backflips!"

{Haha, sorry Kira, I was still wrapping up the treatment.}

*sssslurp nom urp!*

{Also, 'invisible peeping bastard' huh? So that's what you really think of me.}

"No, well, that was..."

{Just kidding, I made a miscalculation so it took much longer than I thought.}

{I'll bear any complaints you have, I was at fault in the end.}

"Haaah, I ate well."

Ellie sighed at the devastation on the table.

"Wait, Ellie, you ate it all!? What about my share!?"

Ellie's treatment had taken almost 18 hours.

She became absolutely ravenous in that time.

I’m used to survival situations so I can bear the hunger pains.

Ultimately she's safe and her body is no longer in danger. Or shifting around strangely.

She's a bit closer to a cat now, but it's still the same old Ellie.

Well, with extras.

*Scritch scritch*

"HIIIYAA!

D-Don't touch them so suddenly!"

Her new ears are quite sensitive. They feel really good when I scratch them.

The guards get mad at me when I scratch random cat-folk in the street. Even though the 'victim' themselves don't seem to mind.

But I just can’t help myself, the sensation is indescribable!

Also, she purrs whenever she's really happy.

"Kyaaaaa! I can't help myself Ellie is just too cuuuute!"

I grab her and vigorously stroke those fluffy things.

Yup, they feel great.

"Uuuu.... K-k-ira.. th-that..."

Ah, there is one more thing.

Her heat didn't go away yet.

Nano said it should calm down in a few days and there's no more danger.

Until then-

Fufufufufu.

"Since Ellie ate my lunch, shall I 'eat' Ellie instead?"

* * *

I was the one that got devoured in the end though.

That part of her wasn’t due to her condition, it’s just how she is.